One of the first stages of a cold is usually a sore throat. People might also experience: tiredness.
A sore throat is often the first sign of a cold. However, a sore throat from a cold often gets better or goes away after the first day or two. Other cold symptoms such as a runny nose and congestion may follow the sore throat.
Stage 1: Early (Days 1 to 3)
Within one to three days of picking up a cold virus, you may notice a tickle in your throat. About half of all people with colds report a tickly or sore throat as their first symptom. Other common cold symptoms you may experience during this early stage include: Sneezing.
Cold and flu symptoms such as a blocked nose or cough usually subside after 7-10 days and the absence of these things is quite an obvious indication that you are on the mend.
When is the worst day of a cold? The worst day of the common cold is often day two or three. That's when symptoms peak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If your sore throat is painful, lozenges and over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can make you feel better.
Stage 2 of a cold is days four through seven. Many people find that their symptoms get worse and peak during this time.
Within 7–10 days , people will usually start to recover from a cold. Symptoms begin to ease up, and people will start feeling better. People may also find that they have more energy and are more able to carry out tasks as usual.
The usual recovery period for a cold lasts seven days.3 Cold symptoms may linger for up to two weeks but ought to improve during that time.2 While two weeks may seem like a long period, the cold is usually worst at the start.
Nose blowing can relieve some sinus pressure and provide comfort, but it cannot clear the bacterial or viral infection of the sinuses.
The Start of a Cold
It usually begins with a sore throat, and before you know it, you've also got these symptoms: Runny nose (clear and watery) Sneezing. Fatigue.
The typical incubation period for a cold is 2–3 days. A sore throat or runny nose are common early signs. Other symptoms, such as coughing and sneezing, may also develop.
“A sore throat is usually caused by a virus and will typically go away on its own as cold symptoms lessen, while strep throat is a bacterial infection that must be treated by antibiotics.”
The worst days of the flu are over. You will start to notice your fever is going down and less achiness in your muscles, but a cough and sore throat are normal at this point.
In most cases, a sore throat is due to a common viruses and will resolve itself within about 3 to 10 days. If the sore throat is from a bacterial infection or allergies, it may last longer.
DAY 4 to 7:
In the peak stage of a cold, your symptoms may reach their maximum intensity, resulting in effects such as a runny nose, cough, sinus/nasal congestion, body aches, headache and fatigue. In some, cases, this may also lead to a fever.
Symptoms. Symptoms of a cold usually peak within 2 to 3 days and can include: Sneezing.
Day 4: Mucus may turn yellow or green (this is normal). Sore throat improves, but coughing begins. Days 5-7: Energy and congestion improve. 1 week+: Cough usually tapers off after a week, but can take up to 3-6 weeks to fully resolve.
Reinfection Depends on the Virus Strain
But there's good news. It's actually highly unlikely to catch the same cold twice. Colds are caused by viruses, and when your immune system fights one infection off, it builds antibodies to it.
Research shows that the immune system follows a circadian rhythm and that the cells involved in healing and inflammation tend to rev up in the evening. Some evidence suggests that more white blood cells (WBCs) are sent to your tissues to fight off infection during the night compared to the day.
Days 3 to 5: Cough and More Nasal Congestion
You may notice that mucus from your runny nose has become thicker, with a yellow or green tinge. This usually is due to a spike in the number of white blood cells your immune system has dispatched to overcome the virus, according to the Mayo Clinic.
But unless you've got other symptoms like aches or fever, get dressed and go to work! If you've been sick for a few days and you now cough up darker yellow mucus, it's still probably just a cold. But if it goes on this way for more than a week, it's a good idea to see your doctor.